BJP's Parshottam Rupala Surges Ahead in Rajkot Amid Controversy

BJP leader Parshottam Rupala has a significant lead of over 4.65 lakh votes against his Congress rival Paresh Dhanani in Gujarat's Rajkot Lok Sabha seat. Despite protests from the Kshatriya community over controversial remarks, Rupala has gained substantial support. Counting continues for the remaining seats.

In a significant political development, BJP leader and Union minister Parshottam Rupala has garnered a comfortable lead in Gujarat's Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, officials reported on Tuesday. Rupala's vote count stands at an impressive 8,22,362, surpassing his Congress rival Paresh Dhanani, who has secured 3,52,373 votes.

Controversy shadowed the election as Rupala faced protests from the Kshatriya community following his remarks about former rulers. Although Rupala issued an apology, some community leaders demanded his replacement. Nonetheless, the BJP's refusal to replace him led to intensified protests urging voters to defeat Rupala.

This contest is a significant rematch, as Dhanani had previously defeated Rupala in the 2002 Amreli assembly seat race. As counting continues for 25 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, held in a single-phase polling on May 7, Rupala's lead remains noteworthy.